Leonardo DiCaprio

Ever since he emerged with a stunning performance as an abused stepson in "This Boy's Life" (1993), actor Leonardo DiCaprio was expected to achieve greatness by critics and the public alike. DiCaprio...
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Actor Leonardo DiCaprio has pledged $7 million (GBP$4.4 million) over the next two years to ocean conservation efforts. The Wolf of Wall Street star spoke at a U.S. State Department conference in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday (17Jun14), when he revealed he would donate the money through his Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation.
He said, "Before I wanted to become an actor, I dreamt of becoming a marine biologist.
"This isn't simply an exercise in wildlife conservation. If we don't do something to save the ocean now, it won't be just the sharks and the dolphins that suffer. It will be our children and our grandchildren."
The pledge comes months after he donated $3 million (GBP1.875 million) to ocean conservation organisation Oceana in February (14).

British actor Tom Hardy is in negotiations to reunite onscreen with his Inception co-star Leonardo DiCaprio in gritty new thriller The Revenant.
The movie will feature DiCaprio as 19th century fur trapper Hugh Glass, who is left for dead by his associates after being mauled by a grizzly bear, and now The Dark Knight Rises star Hardy is said to be in "serious talks" to join the cast of director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu's project, according to film blog SchmoesKnow.com.
Production on The Revenant, based on Michael Punke's 2002 book of the same name, is scheduled to begin in September (14) with a planned release for autumn 2015.

The Ukrainian journalist behind a series of red carpet pranks targeting the likes of Brad Pitt and Will Smith has apologised for upsetting Hollywood's biggest stars. After grappling with Pitt during the Los Angeles premiere of Maleficent last week (28May14), Vitalii Sediuk was slapped with a restraining order and battery and assault charges.
On Friday (30May14), the 25-year-old reporter was sentenced to 20 days of community service, 36 months of probation and ordered to pay $220 (£138) in fines, while a judge also barred him from attending any future Hollywood events. He sat down for his first U.S. interview on Monday (02Jun14) with Extra host Mario Lopez and tried to explain why he chose to pull bizarre stunts at high-profile events.
Sediuk said, "I am a different guy who thinks differently and has this entertainment spirit that probably people in Hollywood never experienced before. It's something different, controversial, extraordinary and it's hard to explain. I'm normal, at least I believe so. "I apologise for inconveniences that I created to many celebrities dealing with my style of entertainment... I feel sorry that I create inconveniences for (the) Brangelina (Pitt and Angelina Jolie) family because I knew there were no kids around, but they were at the premiere, and I kind of stole the spotlight from such an important moment."
As for Friday's sentencing, Sediuk added, "I wouldn't joke with the judge and I took them seriously because one thing you do for entertainment and other thing, when you have legal problems, and I have to tell you they're so many consequences I experience now."
In addition to his run-in with Pitt, Sediuk previously had red carpet encounters with Will Smith and Leonardo DiCaprio, and attempted to scramble under America Ferrera's gown on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival in France last month (May14). He was also arrested at the 2013 Grammy Awards after he attempted to grab Adele's Best Pop Vocal prize from presenter Jennifer Lopez.

Brad Pitt has broken his silence about his red carpet altercation with prankster Vitalii Sediuk, insisting the Ukrainian journalist is nothing but a "nutter".
The actor joined his fiancee Angelina Jolie and five of their six kids for the Hollywood screening of her latest film Maleficent last week (28May14), when Sediuk scrambled over a security barrier and attempted to hit Pitt in the face. The eccentric Ukrainian was wrestled to the ground and arrested and Pitt subsequently filed a restraining order against the prankster.
On Friday (30May14), Sediuk pleaded no contest to battery and assault charges and was sentenced to 20 days of community service and 36 months of probation and ordered to pay $220 (£138) in fines, while a judge also barred him from attending any future Hollywood events. Now Pitt is opening up about the ordeal in a statement to People magazine, revealing what many people didn't see after Sediuk lunged at him.
He explains, "I was at the end of the line signing autographs, when out the corner of my eye I saw someone stage-diving over the barrier at me. I took a step back; this guy had latched onto my lapels. "I looked down and the nutter was trying to bury his face in my crotch, so I cracked him twice in the back of the head - not too hard, but enough to get his attention, because he did let go. I think he was then just grabbing for a hand hold because the guys were on him, and he reached up and caught my glasses."
Pitt continues, "I don't mind an exhibitionist, but if this guy keeps it up he's going to spoil it for the fans who have waited up all night for an autograph or a selfie, because it will make people more wary to approach a crowd." The movie star also referenced Sediuk's last red carpet prank when the journalist attempted to scramble under America Ferrera's gown on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival last month (May14).
He adds, "He should know, if he tries to look up a woman's dress again, he's going to get stomped." The practical joker has also had red carpet encounters with Will Smith and Leonardo DiCaprio, and he was arrested at the 2013 Grammy Awards after he attempted to grab Adele's Best Pop Vocal prize from presenter Jennifer Lopez.

Justin Bieber reportedly donated $545,000 (£340,625) to AIDS charities at a gala in Cannes on Thursday (22May14) The Baby hitmaker attended the amfAR Cinema Against Aids bash at the Cannes Film Festival along with other celebrities including event host Sharon Stone, Heidi Klum and Leonardo DiCaprio, who auctioned off a trip into out of space with him at the annual auction.
Sources tell TMZ.com that Bieber watched as one guest pledged $545,000 (£340,625) to the charity before quietly announcing that he would match the donation.
Staff reportedly checked with the singer, who confirmed he was certain he wanted to give the huge amount.
Bieber subsequently took to his Twitter.com page and wrote, "Amfar #giveback."

Leonardo DiCaprio raised nearly $1 million (£625,000) by auctioning off a trip to outer space with him at the amfAR Gala in Cannes, France on Thursday (22May14). The annual charity event gathered Hollywood A-listers, who were in town for the Cannes Film Festival, at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc to raise money for AIDS research, and DiCaprio was among the stars who offered up rare items up for sale.
The Wolf of Wall Street star auctioned a place on a 2015 Virgin Galactic space trip with him, and the once-in-a-lifetime ticket sold for approximately $956,795 (£597,997), according to Variety.com.
Another seat on the trip with DiCaprio sold at last year's (13) amfAR Gala for $1.5 million (£937,500).
DiCaprio's The Quick and the Dead co-star Sharon Stone served as the auctioneer for the 2014 event, highlighting items such as a pair of gloves once owned by fashion mogul Karl Lagerfeld, a collection of red ball gowns by designers from around the world and a rare 1967 Andy Warhol painting of Marilyn Monroe.
A week's rental of the 11-bedroom yacht where Stone has been staying during her trip to Cannes was also sold during the auction.
The amfAR fundraiser brought in a record $35 million (£22.5 million).
Among the celebrities in attendance were Milla Jovovich, Heidi Klum, John Travolta, Jane Fonda, Jessica Chastain, Marion Cotillard, Rosario Dawson, Justin Bieber and Michelle Rodriguez.
The night also included performances by Lana Del Rey, Robin Thicke and classical star Andrea Bocelli, who dedicated My Way to late actress Dame Elizabeth Taylor, who founded amfAR in 1993.

Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio reportedly gave an elephant charity a major boost by handing over a $1 million (£625,000) donation at a fundraising event. The Titanic star made the generous offer during the Sundown Gala in Malibu, California on Saturday (10May14), which raised money for the Elephant Crisis Fund.
The inaugural event was put together by DiCaprio's own charity and the Wildlife Conservation Network, as well as fellow actor Mark Wahlberg.
DiCaprio donated $1 million to the fundraising effort, according to New York Post gossip column Page Six, and guests at the event, which raised more than $2 million (£1.3 million), included singer/actress Barbra Streisand.

Picturehouse via Everett Collection
If you've ever seen Marion Cotillard in a film and asked yourself, "Is that the same actress from ____?" we are here to help. As the French film star-turned-American film star is preparing for the upcoming release of The Immigrant — her highly-anticipated film with Joaquin Phoenix and Jeremy Renner — we look back at 10 of her many amazing performances and attempt to rank them. This is a near-impossible task when they're all so brilliant, and Cotillard has taken on a myriad unforgettable characters over the years. For those not entirely familiar with the name, here are 10 reasons to get to know her, and for her biggest fans, feel free to disagree and share your own ranking in the comments.
10. Public Enemies
In the 2009 film from director Michael Mann, Cotillard played John Dillinger's lover, Billie Frechette. She beat out a slew of American actresses to play the singer/waitress who stole the outlaw's heart.
9. Little White Lies
In the fantastic French comedy directed by her partner Guillaume Canet, Cotillard delivers a memorable performance as Marie. After a good friend is critically injured, she and a group of pals have a complicated and drama-filled vacation during which Marie smokes pot, takes a lover, and offers true support to the ones who need it most. It's a rebellious sort of character that we often see Cotillard playing, but it never gets old.
8. A Very Long Engagement
Another beloved French film star takes the lead in this one, but even alongside Audrey Tautou's standout performance, Cotillard holds her own as Tina Lombardi. She gives a thrilling performance as a vengeful prostitute, taking down the men responsible for her lover's death. Her story functions as a great parallel to Audrey's character Mathilde, who is also searching for answers about her missing lover, but goes about it in a far less violent way.
7. Midnight in Paris
"You have just about one of the best faces ever" — truer words were never spoken. Cotillard as Picasso's lover and muse (Adriana) is probably one of the most perfectly cast roles. She embodied all of the nostalgia and Parisian enchantment we associate with this amazing film.
6. Nine
As the wife of Italian filmmaker Guido Contini, Cotillard slays all in this epic revenge, burlesque scene that took her out of her housewife role and brought her back to the stage. The film adaptation of Maury Yeston's musical centered around a host of talented actresses as Guido's women — Penélope Cruz, Kate Hudson, and Nicole Kidman all delivered strong performances. But it's Cotillard as Mrs. Contini who manages to cut her husband down and bring the director to his knees.
5. The Dark Knight Rises
Moviegoers everywhere got the shock of their cinematic lives back in 2012 when Cotillard, initially thought to be the sweet and lovely philanthropist Miranda Tate, revealed herself as the daughter of Ra's al Guhl. That slow knife, and the story of her childhood escape from hell on earth made her one of the most excellent villains we'd ever met.
4. Inception
After her role in Christopher Nolan's Oscar-winning film, Cotillard finally started to become more of a household name for American audiences. She shocked, swayed, and frightened us as Mal -- a woman, a dream, a projection of the subconscious of her husband, protagonist Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio). Stuck between reality and limbo, her haunting and violent presence brought much of the tragic beauty to this powerful narrative.
3. Love Me If You Dare
Over 10 years ago Cotillard found love on the film set of Love Me If You Dare. She and Guilluame Canet now have a little boy together, but they started out in a brilliantly dark story about young love and a game of dare gone terribly wrong (or terribly right, depending on how you like your film endings).
2. Rust and Bone
A troubled boxer and an orca trainer who suffers a terrible accident develop an intense bond in this dark and brilliant tale based on the short stories of Craig Davidson. In one of her finest hours, Cotillard plays Stéphanie and her onscreen transformation from one type of woman, to another, to another is thrilling to witness. Her powerful chemistry with Matthias Schoenhaerts (who also delivers a knockout performance) makes the film a heartbreaking, spectacular experience in love, pain, and family.
1. La Vie En Rose
As amazing as she has been in all of these other performances, nothing compares to Cotillard's turn as beloved French singer and performer Édith Piaf in the 2007 biopic La Vie en Rose. The actress became the first to win a Best Actress Academy Award for a French-language role, as the powerhouse performance simply could not be compared to anything else that came out that year. Cotillard was unrecognizable as Piaf, and brought to life one of the most compelling true stories of our time.
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Miramax via Everett Collection
An FBI president, a stock market hooligan, a teenage con artist extraordinaire, and a troubled heroin addict, Leonardo DiCaprio has used his talents to step into a number of real life figures throughout his career, and the actor may soon take on his most controversial role yet. DiCaprio is in talks to portray Steve Jobs in an upcoming biopic based on a script penned by Aaron Sorkin. Danny Boyle is also in talks to direct. The late Steve Jobs is heralded by many as a tech geek visionary, introducing products like the Apple II, the iPod, the iPhone, and the iPad to the masses. But for every Apple obsessive that sings his praises, Jobs has the same number of fervent detractors. The former CEO and co-founder of Apple Inc. has been accused of being selfish, stingy, and having terrible business practices. Jobs presents a interesting and multi-faceted subject that's just ripe for a truly thoughtful biographical film (sorry, Ashton) Luckily, Leo seems to be the right man for the job. We've decided to rank all of Leonardo Dicaprio's biographic films from best to worst.
Catch Me If You CanCatch Me If You Can is unquestionably one of Spielberg's greatest films. It's a jaunty cat and mouse caper with a deep heart thanks to great performances from DiCaprio and Tom Hanks.Tomatometer: 96%Box Office: $352,114,312Golden Globe Nominations:1Golden Globe Wins: 0Oscar Nominations:2Oscar Wins: 0
The Wolf of Wall StreetThe Wolf of Wall Street is a raucous and rowdy three hours that has pure debauchery streaming from every orifice. It's bawdy and gleefully offensive, but it never forgets to ask the bigger questions surrounding it's study of greed, capitalism, and the American way.Tomatometer: 77%Box Office: $389,600,694Golden Globe Nominations:2Golden Globe Wins: 1Oscar Nominations:5Oscar Wins: 0
The AviatorThe Aviator is a glitzy and richly crafted study of a madness. It's a little messy and probably won't be remembered as one of Scorsese's best films, but it's an ambitious effort from both the director and DiCaprio.Tomatometer: 87%Box Office: $213,741,459Golden Globe Nominations: 6Golden Globe Wins: 3Oscar Nominations: 11Oscar Wins: 5
The Basketball DiariesThe Basketball Diaries is like a good yet forgotten older brother to Reqiuiem for a Dream. It focuses on the pitfalls of drug addiction, and includes an impressive turn from Leonardo DiCaprio. Here, the actor is still working out some kinks in his craft, but is well on his way to becoming one of Hollywood's greats.Tomatometer: 46%Box Office: $2,424,439Golden Globe Nominations: 0Golden Globe Wins: 0Oscar Nominations: 0Oscar Wins: 0
This Boy's LifeWhile it's not exactly memorable, This Boy's Life is one of the early indicators of Leonardo DiCaprio's star power. A young DiCaprio gives a great performance, especially when cast opposite Robert DeNiro. Tomatometer: 75%Box Office: $4,104,962Golden Globe Nominations: 0Golden Globe Wins: 0Oscar Nominations: 0Oscar Wins: 0
J. EdgarLong-winded, dull, and too self important for its own good, J.Edgar marks a low point in DiCaprio's career. The actor gives his best to prop up the film, but everything around him sinks it into a messy misfire. Tomatometer: 43%Box Office: $84,606,030Golden Globe Nominations: 1Golden Globe Wins: 0Oscar Nominations: 0Oscar Wins: 0
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Joanna Lumley is convinced she was bottom of Martin Scorsese's list when he was casting her character in The Wolf Of Wall Street after Dame Julie Andrews passed on the part. The Absolutely Fabulous actress appeared alongside Leonardo DiCaprio in the Oscar-nominated movie as Aunt Emma, but she was not the first choice for the job.
The role was first offered to Andrews, but she had to turn it down because she was still recovering from ankle surgery, and Lumley has now revealed it was also offered to fellow British actress Dame Eileen Atkins before she was eventually considered.
She tells Britain's The Times Magazine, "My take on the story is that Julie Andrews couldn't do it and Eileen Atkins was asked but couldn't do it, and then, maybe after 20 people, it came to me. But I don't care. Never mind when someone drops out or someone doesn't want to do it, just get the part. Yeah, lovely."

Offered villainous turn as slave owner Calvin Candie opposite Jamie Foxx in "Django Unchained," a Western drama set in Mississippi; film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino

Breakthrough role playing the lead role of Toby Wolff in "This Boy's Life," co-starring Robert De Niro and Ellen Barkin

Starred in the sci-fi thriller "Inception," directed by Christopher Nolan

Played an undercover cop posing as a gangster in Martin Scorsese's Mob drama, "The Departed"; received first of two Golden Globe nominations that year for Best Actor; earned a SAG nomination for Supporting Actor

Portrayed writer Jim Caroll in "The Basketball Diaries," which was based on Caroll's book of the same name

First collaboration with director Martin Scorsese, the period drama "Gangs of New York"

Portrayed Frank Abagnale Jr., the youngest man ever to make the FBI's ten most wanted list in Steven Spielberg's "Catch Me If You Can"; earned a Best Actor Golden Globe nomination

Grew up in the Los Feliz section of Los Angeles, CA

Played Meryl Streep's emotionally disturbed son in "Marvin's Room"

Executive produced "The Ides of March," which starred George Clooney who also directed, co-wrote and produced

Signed by an agent at the age of 14

Played Gene Hackman's alleged son in "The Quick and the Dead"

Summary

Ever since he emerged with a stunning performance as an abused stepson in "This Boy's Life" (1993), actor Leonardo DiCaprio was expected to achieve greatness by critics and the public alike. DiCaprio met these expectations, thanks to an Oscar-worthy performance as a mentally challenged teenager in "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" (1993) and as a troubled teen in "Marvin's Room" (1996). While he became a bona fide star, nothing prepared him for the life-changing celebrity he achieved with the James Cameron's smash "Titanic" (1997). With this one film, DiCaprio went from a somewhat popular actor to an overnight teen idol and international media sensation, relentlessly hounded by the paparazzi. While he never wanted to reach such heights - he always thought of himself as an indie actor - DiCaprio had no choice but to ride the teen idol wave. Eventually, the furor died down and DiCaprio managed to complete the seemingly impossible transition from child actor to adult star, thanks in large part to his collaboration with director Martin Scorsese. Starting with the hyper-violent "Gangs of New York" (2002), DiCaprio and Scorsese made a series of films that seemed to revitalize each artist both creatively and in the market, culminating in the Oscar-winning crime epic, "The Departed" (2006). His transformation was complete with his star turn in "Inception" (2010), Christopher Nolan's mind-bending thriller that became a global box office hit. Because of his deep well of talent and determination, DiCaprio was able to accomplish the rare feat of fulfilling his early youthful promise.

Name

Role

Comments

Helena Idenbirken

Grandmother

Maternal grandmother; Leo called her "Oma"; Died Aug. 4, 2008 in her native North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

Dated c.1996-97; Reportedly reconciled briefly in 1998; No longer together

Education

Name

John Marshall High School

Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies

Notes

DiCaprio received his first name by kicking in the womb while his parents viewed a Leonardo da Vinci painting at an Italian museum.

"He's like a man-child," explains (director Renny) Harlin, who executive produced "The Foot Shooting Party" (1994), a short featuring DiCaprio as a '70s rocker planning to put a bullet in his foot to avoid the draft. "He is both awkward and adult. He's also man-woman. He appeals to both men and women." – from "Childhood's Sweetheart" by John Clark, Premiere Magazine, January 1994

"My mistake is that I think I can actually be like a normal human being and have fun and go to normal places. I'm realizing that I have to lead a sheltered life where I watch out for everything I do." – DiCaprio on fame, quoted to Larry Worth in the New York Post, Nov. 2, 1995

In 1999, he launched the First Annual Leonardo DiCaprio International Online Short Film Festival (LeoFest.com).

"He's one of the best actors I ever met, and very generous with his partners. He's always keeping on trying things. He's not posh, he's an actor who likes what he's doing." – Virginie Ledoyen, co-star of "The Beach" (2000) to The London Times, Jan. 8, 2000

"The whole Titanic phenomenon came from a period of time when I did two movies in particular: 'Romeo + Juliet' (1996), which started it, and then 'Titanic' (1997), which really brought it to a new level. It may sound naive to say this, but I had no realization that those were going to turn me into a heartthrob, or make me reach that audience of teenage girls. That truly was not my intent going into it." – DiCaprio to The Miami Herald, Dec. 19, 2002

"It's a really obvious thing to say, but the more people know too much who you really are – and it's a fundamental thing – the more the mystery is taken away from the artist, and the harder it is for people to believe the person in a particular role." – DiCaprio quoted to Vanity Fair Magazine, December 2004

"As soon as enough people give you enough compliments, and you're wielding more power than you've ever had in your life, it's not that you become an arrogant little prick, or become rude to people, but you get a false sense of your own importance and what you've accomplished. You actually think you've altered the course of history." – DiCaprio quoted to Vanity Fair Magazine, December 2004

"While I don't want anyone to cry me a river or anything, making a movie is very hard work. But I'm not at a point in my life where fun is my priority. My No.1 priority is to do this thing that I've been wanting to do for as long as I can remember, to take advantage of the opportunities that I have right now." – DiCaprio to The Los Angeles Times, Sept. 10, 2006

"I've gotten to this great place where I'm able to steer the course of my career. This is my opportunity to try to emulate the heroes that I had as a young actor – Robert De Niro, Jack Nicholson, people like that. That's why I'm in hard-core work mode now." – DiCaprio to People Magazine, Nov. 15, 2006

DiCaprio on wanting to give up acting after the hit movie "Titanic" (1997): "It was pretty disheartening to be objectified like that. I wanted to stop acting for a little bit. It changed my life in a lot of ways, but at the same time, I can't say that it didn't give me opportunities. It made me, for the first time, in control of my career." – from Newsweek, January 2007

In 1998, DiCaprio and his mother donated $35,000 for a state-of-the-art "Leonardo DiCaprio Computer Center" at the Los Feliz branch of the Los Angeles Public Library (1874 Hillhurst Avenue) which happened to be the site of his childhood home.

"Probably the only thing I knew with complete clarity was that I wanted to be an actor. But there was a lot of rejection early on, and so it never felt like, Hey, I've got something here. There was always an element of me that needed to prove something to myself. It's something I don't want to get rid of, because it's what drives me. I'm never settled and I'm never satisfied." – DiCaprio quoted in Esquire magazine, March 2010

On Aug. 4, 2010, DiCaprio was granted a restraining order against Aretha Wilson, a woman who attacked him with a beer bottle back in 2005. The actor was at a private Hollywood party in June 2005 when he was hit on the side of his head with broken beer bottle. The injury sent him to the hospital, where he received about a dozen stitches to his face and neck.

"I'm a very fortunate person. I get to choose the movies that I want to do. I have a lot of friends in this industry that don't get to do that. I realize every day how lucky I am to have this opportunity. While I'm here, I'm going to try to do exactly what I want." – DiCaprio quoted in 944 magazine, August 2010

"The thing I've always admired about Leo is that he's willing to extend himself. He could easily, at his stage, be doing some of these comic-book movies that are making a tremendous amount of dough, but he wants to be an actor who's finding new things to hurdle. I saw a little bit of myself, what I used to have." – Clint Eastwood on directing DiCaprio in "J. Edgar" (2011), quoted in GQ, October 2011